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“Ew, this popcorn is stale.” Keira wrinkled her nose.
She’d found a package of it shoved behind some of the dishes. Thought it would be fun to watch television with some popcorn. A little bit of normalcy.
Tyler picked a kernel out of the bowl and popped it in his mouth. “Yuck, you’re right.”
Keira watched the shows flash by as he flipped through channels. “Doesn’t your brother have cable?”
“I don’t think the town has cable.”
She turned to stare at him. “Even my town had cable and we were out in the middle of nowhere.”
Tyler just shrugged and continued. “I think we’ve been through all the channels twice. Nothing on.”
“Wait, the one you just passed, it had the Golden Gate Bridge, maybe it was an old rerun of that Karl Malden detective show, you know the one with Michael Douglas?”
“Sure, you just want to watch Michael Douglas, women love him, why is that? I don’t find him that attractive.”
“I would hope not. No you probably drool over Michelle Phieffer.”
“Well, hello? Who wouldn’t?”
Keira laughed and grabbed the changer from his hand and flipped it until she found the movie. Only it wasn’t a movie.
She let out a gasp as she watched a guy with long black hair climb up on the railing and then just let himself fall backwards. “Did I just see what I thought?”
“If you’re asking if that stupid guy just committed suicide, the answer is yes.”
They both watched in fascinated horror as the narrator talked about the troubles of the people who came to jump. There were interviews of family members, and most saying they knew their loved ones were contemplating suicide, but hadn’t known what to do.
A young man of about twenty-two was interviewed, and then his father. Apparently, he had bipolar disorder.
“I can’t believe he survived.” Tyler sounded shocked.
“I know. But he realized he didn’t want to die as he jumped.” Keira just shook her head.
The young man was good looking and sounded like he had a wonderful supportive family. What desperate feeling had made him think to take his own life? Had it been his mental disorder? Or was it something else?
“I’ve never understood suicide.”
“They’re desperate people, Keira. I don’t think they feel they have any options.”
“There’s always options. No one knows what opportunities will open up on the morrow.” Keira took another handful of the awful popcorn.
Tyler scooted a little sideways, so his leg came up to rest on the couch between them. “What would it take to make you so desperate that you would contemplate taking your own life?”
“You mean more desperate than having a madman after me?”
“You don’t look too suicidal to me.” Tyler pulled her over his leg to sit in front of him so his legs straddled her from behind. “Think what would it take.”
“Nothing could make me commit suicide. I want to live too much. I can’t think of one thing that would motivate me to jump from that bridge. Apart from believing suicide is a mortal sin, it would just be too damn scary to jump to the cold water.”
“Okay, let’s say you lose your whole family in some disaster, your dog was in it too. Then right after the funeral, you lose your job and your boyfriend dumps you. Your landlord says that he’s going to evict you if you don’t come up with the rent in two days.” He stopped and Keira knew he was trying to think of something even worse to add to the list. “And you have a madman killer after you. Then would you be desperate enough to jump?”
“No, because my parents are already dead, I have lost my job, and my landlord is probably ready to evict me.” She tilted her head so she could look up at him over her shoulder. “I don’t have a dog, I’m allergic. You’re saving me from the madman. And if you dump me I’ll stalk you until you take me back.”
“Well shit, I don’t think I can come up with anything worse than what you’re going through.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “No wonder you never complain, it can’t really get any worse.”
“What would it take to get you to jump from the bridge?”
“No way in hell would I jump from that thing. I can’t swim.”
“I think if you planned to commit suicide off the Golden Gate Bridge or any other for that matter, it would be a bonus not to swim.” Keira retorted dryly.
“I guess you’re right.” He slid her onto the couch. “If for some reason you have to run and leave me behind, where would you go? You’ll have money, but where would you think it’s safe so I can find you.”
Keira thought it over in her mind. Where would she feel safe? Or with who other than Tyler. “Home.”
“But Battista would find you.”
“No not New York. I’d go home to Nebraska. Dexter would help me.”
She could tell by Tyler’s frown he didn’t like that idea. “Your old boyfriend?”
“No, my old friend from childhood. I can trust him, and the first thing I’d tell him is the love of my life would be coming for me.” She reached over and cupped his face with her hands, pulling him close. “I’ll make sure he knows not to tell anyone where I am unless they have sexy green eyes, and short, dark curly hair.” She leaned the rest of the way in and traced his lips with her tongue, then deepened the kiss.
Breaking the kiss, she leaned away and winked at him. “Now, let’s change the subject and the channel. Maybe there’s a romantic comedy on somewhere.”
“I’ll give you romantic comedy.”
She felt Tyler’s chuckle rumble in his chest as he tackled her down until she lay underneath him on the couch and proceeded to find every ticklish place she had. She couldn’t catch her breath she was laughing so hard. Every way she twisted, his fingers were there to lightly dance across her skin.
“Uncle!”
His lips nibbled from underneath her ear and worked down to the top of her breast. His finger hooked in the top of her shirt and pulled down, his mouth following in its wake. Now her gasps were for an entirely different reason. Bolts of lightning awareness were bursting all over her body. She squirmed trying to get closer.
Cool air suddenly covered her body and her eyes flew open to see Tyler standing over her. He reached down, gathered her in his arms and strode down the hall. He gently placed her on the firm bed she’d bounced on earlier.
*****
Rosa looked at her watch. Did she have time for a white mocha mint from Starbuck’s? Good, barely. She stopped short in the doorway. Good lord what was going on? The captain, Detective Solomon, and Gabriel Despain were having coffee on the way to work. They must know where Beckett and the woman were.
Before any of them saw her, she ducked down the hall and went to the ladies restroom. Did she have any of the tiny listening devices she’d used the other day still in her purse?
Desperately digging through makeup, loose change, and heaven knew what else, she finally located the small packet her father had given her.
“Now to figure a way to get it to the table,” She said aloud.
Turning the small speck over, she found the protective paper over the adhesive. Taking it off, she held it carefully on her finger. She quietly got in line. Luckily there were only two people in front of her.
She ordered three wrapped biscotti’s along with her mocha and walked to the table. Holding the bag in the same hand as her cup, she dropped the bag on the table in front of the men, who looked up startled.
“Hi, I thought you guys needed something with your coffee.” She placed the palm and thumb of her other hand on the table with fingers underneath. She pushed the small disc until she felt it hold. She straightened up, stepped away to give him a sassy wink. “See you at the station. I don’t want to be late.”
She turned and walked out, stopping just out of sight and waited a few moments. She peeked through the glass door.
She hadn’t given them any time to respond, which had been her plan. Now, hopefully she hadn’t been too late to find out what she wanted to know. She placed the receiver in her ear.
“Now where were we?” It sounded like the captain.
“I was about to tell you that Beckett had called.” Gabe this time.
Rosa wondered why Detective Solomon was with them. She hadn’t known he worked with the feds. Thinking about it though, it made sense since he was the one working the murder case on Brennen Dane. Maybe he’d found something to link Batt to the murder.
“Is he still at his parents’?” David asked the next question.
Rosa frowned, that must be why Batt missed them at the cabin. They’d left before he got there.
“I didn’t know Beckett had come to town.” The captain seemed to be surprised also.
“Beckett and Keira were hiking when Batt pulled into the drive at the cabin. They had a clear view and were able to get away.”
“But why risk coming here, or to Brooklyn?” The captain asked.
“Beckett needed to get the keys to his brother’s house. That’s where they are now.”
“I can’t believe Beckett would put any of his family in danger. I know how close they are.” The captain sounded like he knew the Beckett family well. Rosa thought maybe she should do some digging.
“Matthew’s in Europe on business, it’s just the two of them. He lives in a small town upstate New York.” Gabe supplied the rest of the information.
Rosa waited, but for the next little bit they talked small talk as if someone were listening. She dared to peek around again. The line for the coffee had wound its way back by their table. Anyone could hear what they were saying.
Should she wait to see why Detective Solomon was there? Or get to the station before they left and caught her standing by the door? The receiver would work another few yards, but that was it.
She’d found out what she needed. It wouldn’t take much to find homeowner’s records with the state or county to find the address. Her decision made. She pulled the receiver from her ear and walked in the direction of the station. She took a sip of her mocha and grimaced. She hated cold coffee.
*****
Gabe waited until the last person in line was out of ear shot before he continued. “At least they’re safe now. David, do you know if Batt is still in town?”
“My source didn’t see him board the ship. It seemed he was just on the docks to make sure things went smoothly.” David took a sip of his coffee, and glanced at the notes he had in front of him. “I got a call from the Coast Guard.”
“Did they find the destination of the ship?” The captain scooted away and crossed his ankle over his knee.
“Oh yeah. It’s a private island for the rich and famous. The only catch is you have to be a wealthy playboy. The only women allowed are young girls. Most are runaways walking the streets to earn money.” David paused as if letting that sink in, then continued. “They pay top dollar for these young beauties. Even more money if the girl is nabbed before she turns to prostitution and still has her virginity. The girls live in style while they are there, even pampered. Not bad after what they’ve grown accustomed to on the streets.
“I spoke with a Captain LeRoy who knows of the island. There’s nothing he can do, not his jurisdiction. But he’s done a little research and from what he has found, the girls are released on their twenty-fifth birthday with enough money, if they use it wisely, they can go to college and start a new life.”
“International waters can be tricky. I’ll do a bit of research, see what we can do.” Abe let his foot drop to the floor and stood. “Meanwhile, we need to find a wealthy business man who’d like to pay a little visit to the island.”
“Why not Shaun Kincaid?” Gabe asked. He pushed his chair in and waited for David to stand also. “Give him what he wants, a chance to put his son-in-law away.”
“Don’t you think DeLuca will think something is up if Kincaid all of a sudden takes an interest?” Abe opened the door and waited for the other two to pass through before following.
“I asked Captain LeRoy if he’d ever seen Jamison Hancock on the island, or heard of him being there.” David shrugged. “I thought I’d get further if LeRoy thought I was talking about a business man dipping his hand in something, instead of connecting it to a known crime lord.”
“I’m assuming he said no.” Gabe watched the light and waited for it to turn green.
“He hadn’t heard of him. Until I’d asked him to check on the shipment of girls, he’d never been able to find any information about how they got there.” They stopped outside the station, none of them wanting to carry the conversation inside.
Abe rubbed his chin with his forefinger. “I’ll give Kincaid a call. First I’m going to find out what organization has jurisdiction, then see if we can get them on board. We’re talking a lot of money. Money has a way of keeping things under the radar.”
*****
Antonio watched Batt pace around the room like a caged tiger. The man was more than frustrated. He’d never let a witness live, and now there were two, he couldn’t seem to take care of the problem. Rosa had told him that Beckett had witnessed the murders of the two rental car employees. The witnesses kept adding up. Something needed to be done.
“Have you heard from Rosa?” Battista stopped, looked over his shoulder at Antonio then paced again.
Antonio could feel the energy radiating off Batt. He wouldn’t want to be Beckett when Batt found him. “Rosa called and told me she had a lead but was checking the address before she gave me the information.”
“Fuck. My sources are a lot faster than hers.” He spun and pinned Antonio with a deadly stare. “I want that bastard and that woman dead before the end of this day.”
“So do I. But I want to know what Beckett found out while he was working for me before he meets his maker.” Antonio lit a cigar and took a chair. He was wornout just watching Batt.
“Don’t worry you’ll get your information.”
“Good. When it’s done I want you to disappear for a while. You need the time off.”
Battista stopped. He lifted eyebrows over cold, dead blue eyes. “Have I done something wrong?”
Antonio suppressed the shiver trying to find its way down his spine. How on earth had he ever thought this deadly man would make a good match for his Rosa?
“No you haven’t, I’m just saying with the heat we’ve taken over this incident, it might be best.” He looked toward the ever burning fire. “Maybe you could take a trip to the island, release a little of that energy.”
“I didn’t think you like them roughed up.”
Antonio stood so fast the chair bumped backward. “Goddamn it you know I don’t. Why can’t you just go to the island and enjoy a woman without leaving her marked or damaged.”
“Not my style, I like adventure and rough excites me.” The look Battista gave him challenged him to say anything more.
“Stay away from my girls then. I don’t want to know what happens in your personal life.”
“I take it you wouldn’t give me the blessing to take your Rosa out?”
Antonio decided he better tread carefully. Battista was on his payroll, but somehow he seemed to have the upper hand. No longer was he, Antonio, calling the shots. When the hell had that happened? The last thing he wanted was to bait the man and have him go after Rosa for spite.
“You just admitted you like to rough up your women. What father do you know would want that for his daughter?” Hopefully, presenting it that way would make Battista think a little more logically about the subject.
The bastard had no conscience, which is why he’d hired him in the first place. Sociopaths made the best hit men, sometimes they became a liability. His last man disappeared when he could no longer be trusted. It was time to start looking for another employee, preferably before Batt got his hands on Rosa.
“I’d bet your little Rosa likes it rough.”
His blood boiled, Antonio felt it bubble up and color his face, it was a wonder his ears weren’t steaming. Before he could say anything his cell phone rang.
“DeLuca.”
“Papa, you okay?” Rosa’s voice sounded concerned.
“Just fine. Do you have an address for me? Batt’s here and chompin’ at the bit to get to Beckett.”
“It’s a small town upstate New York. His brother Matthew’s home, but he’s out of the country so it’s just the two there.” Rosa gave directions and the address. “I need to go. Someone is coming.”
Antonio clicked the phone shut, his blood pressure still through the roof. He glared at his soon to be former employee and gave him the information. “Now get the hell out of here, and call me when the job’s done.”
Antonio took a risk and turned his back on Batt. He no longer trusted him. He heard the door slam, slowly he faced the closed portal and walked to the phone.
“It’s time. Follow Battista, when he’s finished with Beckett and the woman, take care of him.” He paused waiting for a response, when none came he continued. “You’ll be moved up on the payroll, a bonus is in it for you if you make sure he disappears and never found.”
“Done.” Came the reply.
Antonio hung up the phone, went to his chair and contemplated what he had done. Battista had been a longtime trusted friend. When had he become a wildcard?
He would have liked to have dangled him for the feds to get them off his back. But Battista knew too much. Though in the past he would have known they would have found nothing out. He could no longer be sure of that.